Posts Tagged ‘Volunteering’

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some spectacularly smart and strong women throughout my career, and I’m frequently reminded of the values that these women have displayed – things I’m working hard to implement in my own business. Whether you believe that gender differences are the result of nature or of nurture, don’t miss out on the lessons you can learn from successful women.

Self-worth derives from community service. Some men tend to be trophy hunters – racking up accomplishments and money in an attempt to demonstrate their value to the world. Women tend to see their relationship to their community – and the vital ways in which they are connected to their community – as the hallmark of success. Keeping in mind that we are part of our community and that it is our interconnectedness that makes and keeps us relevant and necessary can help us focus on strengthening ties rather than creating distance.

Presentation matters. Women have been judged by their appearances to a much greater degree than men have, and it’s worth remembering that we only get one chance to make a first impression. Make sure that you present yourself as organized, neat, and capable … every time. And hey – stylish doesn’t hurt either!

Balance work and home. While no one gets it perfect every day, women tend to make the effort to flourish in their careers, while still making time to spend time with their families. It’s important to maintain the vital support of our home lives – the support that will actually help us succeed in business. Don’t devote all of your time to your career at the expense of your partner and your family.

Tolerate pain. Running a successful business is hard work – much like the labor that precedes a delivery. Women are masters as gritting their teeth, settling in for the long haul, and getting the job done. Growing a business is a struggle, and it’s never painless. Entrepreneurs can’t afford to be wimps!

Multitask. Women tend to be much more adept than men at juggling multiple tasks efficiently. While there is something to be said for a single-minded focus, sometimes concentrating on just one task is a luxury we don’t have. When you’re faced with many things all competing for your attention, observe some women working on multiple tasks and see if you can improve your multitasking abilities.

Ask for help. We joke about the man who will drive around forever and never stop to ask for directions, but the joke hits close to home for some men. Realizing that you’re not an expert in everything and that asking for help is actually a sign of strength lets you avail yourself of the expertise that’s all around you. You don’t have to be the best at every task that keeps your business running, and asking employees or mentors for advice or assistance shows your confidence in them.

Use social skills. Women are master networkers. They use their ties to the community as a powerful asset, and nurturing those connections will put you in contact with more clients and more collaborators.

Collaborate. As fields become increasingly specialized, we’re going to find more tasks that require us to collaborate with other experts. If you’re focused on producing the very best products and services, that goal will nearly always be more easily achieved by collaboration. Look around you for folks who can make you better.

In listing these values that I’ve seen in so many successful women, I’m not guy-bashing. I work hard to keep an open mind about techniques for improving my abilities to run my businesses, and I’ve learned that success had no gender. It’s available to us all.

Major U.S. corporations are notorious for their philanthropic works across the globe, but how often do their efforts touch your local community? When small businesses reach out to help others in the area, they can witness the effects of their assistance, even as they build long-term relationships. You don’t need a big-company bank account to make a real difference to your community, express gratitude to the major players in your business’s success and gain a little well-earned notoriety.

Here are four affordable ways your company can bring major benefits to the community.

Sponsor a Worthwhile Cause

If you’re looking for a low-cost way to improve your community, sponsor a cause that has a local impact. For example, your entire company can get some fun in the sun by adopting a local roadway and keeping it well-maintained. Or perhaps consider sponsoring a youth sports team. Depending on the team’s needs, you may initially view sponsorship as an expensive proposition. But your net cost may be lower than you think. Providing a great opportunity for the kids is a relatively inexpensive marketing investment that increases awareness of your business and loyalty to boot. Check with your accountant to see if you can get a tax write-off as well.

Involve your Employees

When the stresses of work start to take a toll on employee attitudes, many companies look for ways to release the pressure. A nice summertime picnic may provide a pleasant interlude for your employees … well, except for those who suffer from severe allergies. And I can’t even begin to describe the complaints that I heard from one non-sports fan I know who was forced to attend a pro baseball game every year. Why not do something that makes everyone feel good, instead? Involving your employees in charitable giving can offer the flexibility to meet individual needs, while providing workers with an opportunity to have fun as they experience the satisfaction of helping others.

Some companies ask their employees to choose a charitable event that they can work on as a team. Others allow employees to select their own individual activities, perhaps offering a half day off to volunteer or prizes for the top three employee-volunteers. If your company has only a few employees, consider encouraging employees from other local businesses to participate in your cause.

Take Collections

The spring cleaning season entices people to de-clutter their homes, but for anyone with a basement or an attic, restoring order is an ongoing concern. You won’t have to ask twice to encourage employees to bring in toys for needy children during the holidays, gently-worn clothing or coats or pet food for a favorite shelter. If you have a store-front business, keep a collection box where customers can see it.

When natural disasters strike, your employees might also welcome an easy way to make a monetary contribution. But, you may need to do a little homework to make sure that the money goes to a reputable organization. A review of charity evaluation sites such as Charity Navigator or Charity Watch can go a long way toward ensuring that your employees’ donations are used as intended.

Mentor a Local Student

With upwards of 27,000 public high schools and more than 4,200 community and four-year colleges and universities in the U.S., there is a good chance that many young people in your community are looking for some form of work experience. Offering internships can be a low-cost way to offer training and experience to add to their resumes (plus a recommendation on their LinkedIn page or a personal reference). You also gain by adding the extra hands needed to keep up with your workload.

Just as important, today’s intern can become tomorrow’s valued employee. I know one college computer sciences student who began a summertime internship with a software company nearly 20 years ago. The company and its people have gone through many changes, but he remains with the major players to this day — as Chief Technology Officer!

Charitable Giving Benefits Everyone

Even if you can’t make huge monetary donations, you can find many ways to help people in need and be recognized as a local philanthropist who is dedicated to the betterment of your community. Your efforts can help put your company name in front of the public, while building new relationships with other local entrepreneurs. But the biggest benefit is how great it feels to pay it forward.

The concept of corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is incredibly popular in large companies where deep budgets allow employees time off to participate in community-oriented projects. But what about small businesses? Without big budgets, is it possible for the little guys to make an impact?

“Absolutely, yes,” says Lauri Flaquer, small business expert and owner of Saltar Solutions, a business consultancy in St. Paul, Minnesota. “In fact, I’ve been seeing a ton of small businesses develop their own philanthropic programs as of late.”

Interested in getting involved in your community? If so, here are some helpful steps to get you started.

Poll your employees

You want your company to get involved, but you aren’t sure where to allocate your resources. Chances are good that some of your employees may already volunteer or give to specific charities in their off time, so start by involving them in the development of your CSR program.

“Ask your employees what organizations they think the company should give to or volunteer with. Then, task those who are passionate with giving a presentation on their pet causes and ask the group to vote,” recommends Flaquer.

Be choosy

Don’t have any takers for a charity presentation? Find your own non-profit to support. Flaquer recommends looking at organizations that are somehow connected the mission of your company. “If you own a water filtration business, for example, try supporting a charity that promotes clean water,” she says. “Or if you are in the publishing industry, maybe join a non-profit that prevents the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.”

Do your homework. Flaquer recommends checking with the IRS to make sure the organization is a 501c3 (tax code for non-profit) and with the Better Business Bureau to research on its reputation in the community.

Schedule volunteer time strategically

Too busy to volunteer? Flaquer recommends scheduling volunteer days (or hours) when your business is in a lull. “If your organization is cyclical, choose a time when it isn’t all that busy,” she suggests.

Transform a volunteering activity into a team building activity. Instead of renting an expensive hall and calling a catering company, opt to spend a day out of the office, cleaning a local park. Then spring for some pizza at nearby picnic tables. The event will end up costing you less and your employees will probably enjoy it more, too.

Set boundaries early

“When you are volunteering your time, it is easy for that time to take over your full-time job because you feel so good about helping others,” Flaquer says. “I recommend that before you start your program, set out exactly how much time you and your company will spend giving back, how much money you will spend and how many resources you will.

“Those guidelines will help you feel good about the impact you are making, but also help you keep an eye on your core business.”